Why does God allow bad things happen to good people?

Why does God allow bad things happen to good people?

Valid question! Hard question! Most asked question!

But I want to change the question...after all, how do we determine who is good... So my question is; if the pentaly for sin is death, why does God allow me to continue to live?

Let me use an illustration: I am sitting in a court room and taking in everything I hear and see. The evidence is strong, the jury is out for blood, the judge is convinced, and the defendant admitted to his crime. The defendant murdered someone and now it's time for his sentence to be announced. I'm listening to the jury and they find him guilty saying that he will receive the death pentaly 50 years from now. As the jury goes on; they state that the defendant will receive this death pentaly, but that he is also free to go and live his final 50 years wherever he wants. Now that would be crazy!

When I think about it, that is how I live my life! Because of my sin, I receive death. Because of God's love and grace, I get to live out my days on earth! So my thinking has changed from why does God allow bad things, to why does God continue to let me live, to God has a purpose for man and he shows it through his love and mercy by giving us life on earth. What are you going to do with your time on earth?

Being Thankful, Having a Good Attitude, and the Story of My Calling to Ministry

5th Annual Harvest Fest continues to move forward and gains momentum.

The first Harvest Fest consisted of our church people with maybe a handful of visitors. We have continued to build off each year; doing our best to be ready for whoever God would send us. In 2012, we had an estimation of 125 people and in 2013, we had a little over 300.

This year, I had an audacious prayer of praying for 500 people at the event! Did we hit that, probably not; but we planned the event for it and we didn't run out of food or candy. This is a huge improvement because we have ran out in years past. On paper, we register 380 people and had 40 volunteer leaders. This would not account for those who came and did not registered. I'll take it, 420 people! Especially, when you look at the demographics of church people to un-church people!

Ready for Heaven?

Thinking about heaven and being there for eternity; some people dread it. "I'm too young, I need to get my drivers liscense and get married."or "Will there be fun things in heaven, how about basketball?"  I truely believe that heaven will be better than what we have on earth. Why, you might ask?

The same God that created the earth resides in heaven! The same God who created the individual that came up with the idea of basketball lives in heaven. It has to be better! How can get it any better, you might ask?

Let me talk coffee. You see no one in my family drinks coffee. When I was a teenager I got a job and started working third shift. Boy, was it hard to stay awake! Yep, you probably guessed it; I started drinking coffee. It was the worst cup of coffee. I believe that coffee pot hadn't been cleaned in thirty years and the same coffee that was used thirty years ago was still being used. The coffee tasted horrific, but I drank it to stay awake. Today, you cannot keep me away from coffee. I'll drive the distance for Dunkin Donuts, I'll spend my office hours at Starbucks, I love coffee.

Why did I tell you about my addiction to coffee? Because I believe that this is a perfect example of heaven. Before I had coffee, I had no idea that not only would I like it but I would be pretty much addicted to it. I had no idea where it would take me; the many coffee shoppes, the adventure of experimenting with coffee beans at home, the friends I gained, etc. My life changed after that first cup of coffee. I believe that this will be my experience of heaven, except on a way bigger level! Heaven will be amazing because God is amazing!

Thoughts on the Called Out Conference

Without fail the Called Out Conference remains at the top of the best youth events for Graceway Student Ministry! This year, we were able to take 6 students and 3 leaders to Baraboo, Wisconsin. The weekend was amazing with many challenging factors:

We were challenged through four breakout sessions. Nate Ray, a church planter in Minneapolis, challenged the students through the Word. The middle school and high school band of Trinity led us in music for a meaningful worship experience. We were introduced to John Klein and Trey Turner, two church planters in Southern Wisconsin, and they shared their hearts for church planting. We had an amazing time in prayer for the world, our country, our communities, church plants and our churches. The students also received a prayer card for a church planter in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Through the weekend they not only had the opportunity to pray for their specific church planter, but also to write their church planter an encouraging card!

We also had team building challenges and fun as well. We joined another youth group and were challenged by three different creative team building challenges. Yes, I have now officially have done the trust fall! And the teens didn't drop me. Many of the youth did the rock wall and conquered it; as well as many challenged Pastor Mike in basketball and were conquered...The teens had a blast and we are looking forward to next year!